Representative Bill Ruppel has served as a member of the Indiana House of Representatives since 1992. During his tenure, he has served as the Vice Chair of the Safety Committee, and is currently the Ranking Minority Member of the House Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee. He has also served on the Agriculture, Public Policy, and Interstate and International Cooperation Committees. Previous to his career at the Statehouse, he served as a member of the Wabash County Council from 1986 to 1992. He was named the Legislator of the Year in 1997 by the Senior Action Coalition.

An elementary school teacher his entire career, Representative Ruppel taught for 35 years at Indianapolis Public Schools, Whitko School Corporation and the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation.  While teaching, he coached basketball, track, football, softball, and golf, and also served as Jr. High Athletic Director. When he was not teaching during the summer, he worked as an electrician, a delivery truck driver and a salesman, along with owning his own fence and supply business for five years.  Representative Ruppel is also a farmer and raises sheep.

Representative Ruppel was born on March 10, 1947 in Wabash County. He and his wife, Miriam, were married in 1977. They have two children, Jodee and Linsee. Representative Ruppel received his bachelor's degree from Butler University in 1970 and to received his master's degree from Manchester College in 1979.